1. What is the Calories Burned Equation?

The calories burned equation estimates energy expenditure during physical activity using Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET) values, weight, and duration of activity.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the equation:

Where:

• \( MET_{activity} \) — Metabolic Equivalent for the specific activity
• \( Weight_{kg} \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( Time_h \) — Duration of activity in hours

Explanation: One MET is defined as the energy cost of sitting quietly, equivalent to 1 kcal/kg/hour. Higher MET values indicate more intense activities.

3. Importance of MET Values

Details: MET values allow comparison of energy expenditure across different activities. For example, cross-country skiing typically burns more calories than downhill skiing at the same duration.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter your weight in kg, duration in hours (use 0.5 for 30 minutes), and select your activity. The calculator includes skiing and running options for comparison.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: How accurate are MET values?
A: MET values are averages and actual calories burned may vary by 10-20% based on individual factors like fitness level and efficiency of movement.

Q2: Why compare skiing with running?
A: Running is a familiar activity for many people, making it a useful benchmark to understand the intensity of different skiing activities.

Q3: Does this account for terrain difficulty?
A: No, these are average values. More difficult terrain would increase calories burned beyond these estimates.

Q4: Should I use this for weight loss planning?
A: This provides estimates, but individual results may vary. Combine with dietary changes for effective weight management.

Q5: How does temperature affect calories burned?
A: Cold weather activities may burn slightly more calories as your body works to maintain temperature, but this isn't accounted for in standard MET values.